Puy-de-Dôme

The Combrailles area, in which Chambres d’Hôtes 'Le Relais des Eléphants Colorés' is located, is part of the north of the Puy-de-Dôme departement.

The Puy de Dôme, th most important mountain of the departement which it has lend its name from, is a large lava dome and one of the youngest volcanoes in the Massif Central in Auvergne, the central-southern part of France, with an altitude of 1,464m. The summit of the Puy de Dôme was already thirteen times (last in 1988) a finish of a stage in the Tour de France. Amateur cyclists can climb the volcano twice a week (Wednesdays and Sundays between 7:00 and 9:30). Outide these times the summit can be reached by foot (via a footpath dating from Roman times), by bus or by car. Since march 2010 the volcano is closed for traffic (cyclists, car, bus), because of the construction of a tourist train line. The volcano is expected to reopen in 2012. Until then, the volcano can only be climbed by foot.

The Puy-de-Dôme department also has many special other attractions. Below you will find a selection of natural beauties and curtural outings.

culture

- The church of Mozac (Abbey building contains remarkable carved capitals)
- Riom (Former capital of the Duchy of Auvergne)
- Clermont-Ferrand (Capital of the Auvergne and university city)
- Le Château de la Batisse (The gardens of the residence was designed by the school of Le Nôtre)
- Saint-Saturnin (With its Romanesque church, medieval castle and Renaissance fountain)
- The Orcival basilica (A jewel of Romanesque art)
- Saint-Nectaire (Village and famous gastronomic stop holding a magnificent Romanesque church)
- Bosse-et-Saint Anastaise (Typical medieval village)

spas

- Châtel-Guyon (spa with old-fashioned charm)
- Royat (Elegant spa town, near Clermont-Ferrand)
- Le Mont-Dore (Both spa and ski resort)

nature

- Le Puy-de-Dôme (Highest volcano in the chain of Les Puys and offers an exceptional view)
- The plateau Gergovia (The location of the famous battle of Gergovia where Vercingetorix fought against Julius Caesar)
- Lake Aydat (beautiful expanse of water, popular with watersports enthusiasts)
- The Chambon lake (Nice vast water that is suitable for outdoor activities)
- The Pavin lake (Beautiful Crater Lake)
- The Regional Natural Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne (Extensive territory of outstanding natural heritage)
- Natural park Livradois-Forez
- The Puy (Highest peak of the Massif Central, in winter a ski resort with 80 km of slopes)
- Volcan de Lemptégy (An old vulcano crater)

for children

- Vulcania (Themepark about vulcanoes: ‘L’Aventure de la Terre’)